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Exposed Cross Sections of the Continental Crust - Synopsis

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Exposed Cross-Sections of the Continental Crust

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 317))

Abstract

Exposed cross sections of the continental crust are recognized on the basis of geophysical and geological data. In some cases, high-grade metamorphic portions of the sections can be traced into contemporary lower crust by geophysical methods. Geobarometric, structural and geophysical data, however, indicate that the deepest crustal levels are not exposed. Exposed cross sections can be emplaced by thrust faults in collisional or intracratonic settings, in transpressional uplifts, extensional regimes and impactogens. Continental crustal evolution, as portrayed by these sections, involves addition of magmas in continental magmatic arcs or island arcs and incorporation of supracrustal rocks into the lower crust. The role of magmatic underplating in crustal growth is not resolved by these sections. Geophysical models of the crust based on measurement of physical properties of rocks from exposed cross sections provide important constraints on the interpretation of crustal geophysical data.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, 82071, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

    David M. Fountain

  2. Geological Survey of Canada, 588 Booth Street, K1A OE4, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    John Percival

  3. Atlantic Geoscience Centre, Geological Survey of Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, B2Y 4A2, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Matthew H. Salisbury

Authors
  1. David M. Fountain
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  2. John Percival
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  3. Matthew H. Salisbury
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Atlantic Geoscience Centre, Geological Survey of Canada Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Matthew H. Salisbury

  2. Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA

    David M. Fountain

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© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Fountain, D.M., Percival, J., Salisbury, M.H. (1990). Exposed Cross Sections of the Continental Crust - Synopsis. In: Salisbury, M.H., Fountain, D.M. (eds) Exposed Cross-Sections of the Continental Crust. NATO ASI Series, vol 317. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0675-4_28

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0675-4_28

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6788-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0675-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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